Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection – 1 in 10 young men and women (under 25) who are having sex have got it, but many don’t know because at first most people don’t have any symptoms.
How you get it:
Unprotected vaginal or anal penetrative sex, oral sex (less likely).
Symptoms:
Most of the time, none, but sometimes pain when peeing (for boys), lower abdominal pain (for girls) or discharge from the vagina or penis.
Treatment:
A simple course of antibiotics for both partners.
If it’s not treated: Can occasionally lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (see below) in women and sometimes, very rarely, infertility in men and women.
My sexual partner has chlamydia but I don’t have any symptoms – what should I do?
If your current partner has chlamydia you should usually be treated as well. If you have not been given specific advice on how to get treated, you can ask your GP or practice nurse to test and treat you.
If this is a partner you had sex with in the past, we suggest that you get tested first to see if the infection is still present.
More information on Chlamydia
